Electromagnetic power generator

ABSTRACT

An electromagnetic generator comprising an antenna that receives radiofrequency energy. The antenna is connected to a rectifier circuit, which is used to charge a first battery using the radiofrequency energy received by the antenna. The first battery supplies power to a control unit, which powers at least one electromagnet to generate a magnetic field. A flywheel having at least one magnet is configured to rotate when the magnetic field is generated. An alternator, connected to the flywheel, charges a second battery based on the rotation of the flywheel. The second battery is then used to supply power to an external device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of and priority from U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/018,826, filed Jun. 30, 2014, which isherein incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to electromagnetic generators, inparticular, electromagnetic generators that utilize radiofrequencysignals as an energy input.

BACKGROUND

Consumers rely on electricity to power various devices and appliancesused on a daily basis. For example, electricity is used to charge cellphones, power televisions, heat water, propel cars, cook food, and thelike. Electricity is a critical component to everyday life. Consumerstypically receive electricity in one of two ways: (1) from a utilitycompany or (2) from an electric generator.

Often, utility companies rely on large-scale electric generators tocreate electricity in a similar manner to smaller-scale electricgenerators used by individuals. Electric generators are devices thatconvert one form of energy (e.g., mechanical energy) into electricalenergy (i.e., electricity), which can be used to power external devicesor can be stored in storage devices, such as batteries and capacitors,for later use. For example, some electric generators use mechanicalenergy input to turn or rotate permanent magnets. The rotating permanentmagnets create changing magnetic fields, which react with conductors todrive an electric current. Accordingly, at least a portion of the inputmechanical energy is converted into usable electric energy (i.e.,electricity). The input mechanical energy may be provided manually(e.g., via a hand crank), provided from the output of an internalcombustion engine, provided from a steam driven turbine (e.g., as donein a nuclear or fossil fuel power plant), or the like.

Large amounts of input mechanical energy are typically required togenerate a meaningful amount of electricity. This often requires payinga utility company for a portion of the electricity generated by theutility company or the burning of fossil fuels in an internal combustionengine driven personal generator. Electricity generated by utilitycompanies can be expensive. Additionally, the burning of fossil fuelscan be expensive and produces potentially harmful byproducts, such ascarbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, sulfur, and the like. Accordingly,improved electricity sources are desired.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention relates to an electromagneticgenerator comprising an antenna configured to receive radiofrequencyenergy and a first circuit connected to the antenna and configured tocharge a first battery using the radiofrequency energy received by theantenna. A control unit is configured to receive power from the firstbattery and is further configured to power at least one electromagnet togenerate a magnetic field. A rotatable body having at least one magnetis configured to rotate when the magnetic field is generated. A secondcircuit is connected to the rotatable body and configured to supplypower to an external device.

Another embodiment relates to a method for supplying power usingradiofrequency energy. The method includes receiving radio waves throughan antenna and converting energy from the radio waves to a firstcurrent. The first current is used charge a first battery. At least oneelectromagnet is powered to produce a magnetic field using energysupplied from the first battery. The method further includes rotating arotatable body due to the magnetic field produced by the at least oneelectromagnet and convertin energy produced by the rotation of therotatable body to a second current. The second current is used to poweran external device.

A further embodiment relates to an electromagnetic generator. Thegenerator includes an antenna configured to receive radiofrequencyenergy. The generator further includes a rectifier circuit connected tothe antenna and configured convert the radiofrequency energy to directcurrent energy used to charge a first battery. The generator includes acontrol unit configured to receive power from the first battery andfurther configured to power at least one electromagnet to generate amagnetic field. The generator further includes a flywheel having atleast one magnet and configured to rotate when the magnetic field isgenerated. The generator includes an alternator mechanically connectedto the flywheel and configured to charge a second battery based on therotation of the flywheel. The second battery is configured to supplypower to an external device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following description and the accompanying exemplaryembodiments shown in the drawings, which are briefly described below.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of anelectromagnetic generator of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a flow chart illustrating a process in which radiofrequencyenergy is utilized in order to charge a battery to power devices.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective front view of the electromagnetic generator.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective back view of the electromagnetic generator.

FIGS. 5A-5D shows a perspective views of additional embodiments of theelectromagnetic generator.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the figures generally, systems and methods for generatingusable quantities of electricity from radio waves via an electromagneticelectricity generator are described. Radio waves are electromagneticwaves that are emitted and received by many different types of devices.Each radio wave contains electromagnetic energy that can be convertedinto usable electricity through the described electromagneticelectricity generator. The electromagnetic electricity generatorutilizes an antenna to receive the radio wave and a rectifier circuit toconvert the electromagnetic electricity generator into an electriccurrent. The electric current is used to drive a magnetic flywheel,which generates mechanical energy. The mechanical energy is thenconverted into electricity, which can be used to charge batteries and/orpower devices. The radio waves received by the antenna can be generatedfrom a remote power company or may be scavenged from the ambientenvironment (e.g., from television broadcasts, radio broadcasts,cellular phone base stations, wireless networking devices, etc.).

FIG. 1 schematically shows an electromagnetic generator 100 according toan exemplary embodiment. The electromagnetic generator 100 includes anantenna 30 connected to a rectifier circuit 40. The antenna 30 isconfigured to receive radio waves 12 from the ambient environment. Insome arrangements, the received radio waves have a frequency ofapproximately 945 MHz. The radio waves 12 generate an alternatingcurrent (AC) in the antenna 30. The radio waves 12 may originate from adedicated radio wave generation plant (e.g., a utility company) or maybe scavenged from the ambient environment (e.g., from televisionbroadcast transmitters, radio broadcast transmitters, cellular phonebase stations, wireless networking devices, etc.).

The generated AC power is then provided from the antenna 30 to therectifier circuit 40, which converts the AC power into direct current(DC). This DC power is used to charge a first battery 10. The firstbattery 10 is a rechargeable battery. Accordingly, the first battery 10may be any of a nickel cadmium (NiCd) battery, a nickel metal hydride(NiMH) battery, a lithium ion (LiIon) battery, a sealed lead acid (SLA)battery, or the like. The first battery 10 may include a plurality ofindividual battery cells. In some arrangements, the first battery 10includes a charging controller that controls the input of DC power intothe first battery 10 to prevent damage to the first battery 10 that mayresult from overcharging and/or overheating. Because the generator 100continuously receives radio waves 12 through the antenna 30 andcontinuously converts the electromagnetic energy of the received radiowaves 12 into DC power, the first battery 10 can be continuously chargedover time (e.g., trickle charged). The first battery 10 is not limitedto a single battery. Alternatively, the first battery 10 may comprise aplurality of batteries. In such arrangements, once one battery of theplurality of batteries is sufficiently charged, other batteries may becharged by the received DC power from the rectifier circuit 40. Thisallows for additional storage of electric energy from the radio waves12.

Once the first battery 10 is sufficiently charged, the battery 10 isthen used to supply electric power to a control unit 50. The controlunit 50 controls a plurality of electromagnets 55. Although threeelectromagnets 55 are shown in FIG. 1, it should be understood that anynumber of electromagnets 55 may be utilized by the generator 100. Thecontrol unit 50 includes a power input that receives electric power fromthe first battery 10. The control unit 50 includes a processor andmemory. The memory stores programming modules that, when executed by theprocessor, control the operation of the control unit 50 as described infurther detail below. The electromagnets 55 are mounted adjacent to aflywheel 60 that has a plurality of permanent magnets 65 affixedthereon. The permanent magnets 65 are positioned about a circumferenceof the flywheel. The electromagnets 55 are aligned such that theelectromagnets 55 project a magnetic field over at least a portion ofthe flywheel 60 when the electromagnets are powered. In arrangementswhere a plurality of electromagnetics 55 are utilized by the generator100, each of the electromagnets can have a different position withrespect to the flywheel 60. For example, the electromagnets 55 may bepositioned around the circumference of the flywheel 60. Moreover, eachof the electromagnets 55 may be further configured to produce differentmagnetic field strengths with respect to each one another. The flywheel60 is a cylinder that has a diameter that is significantly larger thanits axial length. In some arrangements, the diameter of the flywheel 60is at least ten times the axial length of the flywheel 60.

The flywheel 60 is rotationally coupled to an axle 67. The axle 67extends along a central axis of the flywheel 60. Accordingly, when theflywheel 60 rotates, the axle 67 rotates with the same rotationalvelocity as the flywheel 60. The axle 67 is connected to an alternator70. When the flywheel 60 rotates, the axle 67 rotates and providesrotational mechanical energy into the alternator 70. The alternator 70is an electromechanical device that converts rotational mechanicalenergy into electricity.

During operation, the control unit 50 selectively and independentlypowers each of the electromagnets 55 to generate magnetic fields. Themagnetic fields interact with the permanent magnets 65 positioned on theflywheel 60, which causes the flywheel 60 to spin. In some operatingconditions, the control unit 50 will cause the magnetic field generatedby a given electromagnet to be of the same polarity as the permanentmagnets 65 to repel the permanent magnets 65. In other operatingconditions, the control unit 50 will cause the magnetic field generatedby a given electromagnet to be of the opposite polarity as the permanentmagnets 65 to attract the permanent magnets 65. The control unit 50determines when to power each of the electromagnets 55, the amount ofpower to provide to each electromagnet 55 when powered on, the polarityof the magnetic field to be generated, the strength of the magneticfield to be generated, and when to turn off each electromagnet 55 basedon at least in part on feedback from a position and speed sensor 68. Theposition and speed sensor 68 measures the position and rotational speedof either the flywheel 60 or the axle 67. By selectively andindependently powering each of the electromagnets 55, the control unit50 can accelerate the flywheel 60 to a high rotational speed (e.g.,above 1000 RPM) and maintain the high rotational speed of the flywheel60. The flywheel 60 may be mounted to a low friction bearing such thatlittle energy input is needed to maintain the rotational speed of theflywheel 60.

The spinning of the flywheel 60 produces rotational mechanical energy.The rotational mechanical energy is transferred from the flywheel 60 tothe alternator 70 via the axle 67. The alternator 70 converts themechanical energy into DC power. The DC power output by the alternator70 is then used to charge a second battery 20. The second battery 20 isa rechargeable battery. Accordingly, the second battery 20 may be any ofa NiCd battery, a NiMH battery, a LiIon battery, a SLA battery, or thelike. The second battery 20 may include a plurality of individualbattery cells. In some arrangements, the second battery 20 includes acharging controller that controls the input of DC power into the secondbattery 20 to prevent damage to the second battery 20 that may resultfrom overcharging and/or overheating. The charging controller mayprovide feedback to the control unit 50 to indicate a charge of thesecond battery 20. For example, the charging controller may provide avoltage of the second battery 20 to the control unit 50. Based on thefeedback provided to the control unit 50, can stop powering the flywheel60 or accelerate the flywheel 60. The second battery 20 stores the poweruntil it is needed. As described above with the first battery 10, thesecond battery 20 may also comprise a plurality of batteries. Thesebatteries may also be continuously and/or alternately charged anddischarged to store and provide power, allowing for an increase incapacity of the generator 100.

The power stored by the second battery 20 is then sent to a powerinverter 80, which converts the DC power supplied by the second batteryinto AC power. The AC power is output from the generator. In somearrangements, the AC power is supplied to a power outlet 90 to supplypower to external devices when needed. In other arrangements, the ACpower is provided to a power system (e.g., for a building) or to a powergrid (e.g., a power grid that supplies a plurality of buildings anddevices). In an alternative arrangement, the power inverter 80 isbypassed and DC power is output from the generator 100 (e.g., to power adevice via a USB port).

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of a method 200 of convertingradiofrequency energy into electricity according to an exemplaryembodiment. Method 200 is performed by the generator 100 as describedabove with respect to FIG. 1. In step S1, radio waves 12 are received bythe antenna 30 and converted to DC power by the rectifier circuit 40.The DC power is then used to charge the first battery 10 in step S2. Atstep S3, the energy stored on the first battery 10 is used to power thecontrol unit 50 and the electromagnets 55. As described above, thecontrol unit 50 selectively and independently activates and deactivateseach electromagnet to generate magnetic fields. The magnetic fieldsinteract with the permanent magnets 65 mounted on the flywheel 60, whichcause the flywheel 60 to rotate at step S4. At step S5, the rotationalmechanical energy of the flywheel 60 is transferred to the axle 67, andis provided to the alternator 70, which converts the received mechanicalenergy into DC power. The DC power is then output to the second battery20 at step S6. The second battery 20 stores the electric energy untilneeded. When power is needed, it is first converted from DC to AC by theinverter 80 at step S7. The AC power is then outputted from thegenerator 100 at step S8. In some arrangements, the AC power is suppliedto a power outlet 90 to supply power to external devices when needed. Inother arrangements, the AC power is provided to a power system (e.g.,for a building) or to a power grid (e.g., a power grid that supplies aplurality of buildings and devices). In an alternative arrangement, steps7 is bypassed (e.g., the power inverter 80 is bypassed) and DC power isoutput from the generator 100 (e.g., to power a device via a USB port).

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate perspective front and back views of oneembodiment of the electromagnetic generator 100. The componentsdescribed above are preferably housed in a case 110 of the generator100. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the generator 100 may include a controlpanel 120. The control panel 120 may comprise indicator lights that mayindicate to the user the current state of the generator 100 and/or thestorage levels of the batteries. The control panel 120 may also indicateto the user other measurements of the system, such as current input oroutput levels. As shown in FIG. 3, the generator 100 may also include apower switch 95 to send energy stored in the second battery 20 to thepower outlet 90 when required. As shown in FIG. 4, the generator 100 mayfurther include a cooling system 150, such as a fan, to preventoverheating of the system. FIGS. 5A-5D illustrate perspective views ofan additional embodiment of the electromagnetic generator 100, with analternative case and component design.

The above-described generator 100 may include additional features. Forexample, the generator 100 may include an integrated cooling system thatcools the various components (e.g., the first battery 10, the secondbattery 20, the control unit 50, etc.) to prevent overheating. Thecooling system may be a liquid cooling system or an air cooling system.The generator 100 may include a passive voltage control system and anelectrical and a fuse system to prevent any overload problem. In somearrangements, a gearbox is coupled between the rotating axle 67 and thealternator 70 to modify the torque and rotational speed input into thealternator 70.

In some arrangements, the above-described generator 100 is distributedby a power delivery company. In such arrangements, the power deliverycompany may distribute generators to its subscribers. The power deliverycompany generates wireless signals (e.g., from a transmitter tower).Each generator may have an identifier associated with each subscriber.The identifier can be communicated wirelessly (e.g., throughradio-frequency identification, Bluetooth, WiFi, etc.). Alternatively,the identifier may be associated with the entry of a specific user IDinto the control panel 120 (e.g., user ID and password, user PIN, etc.).Each generator also includes a data transceiver (e.g., a cellular datatransceiver) that provides real-time feedback to the power deliverycompany relating to an amount of electricity consumed by the associatedsubscriber. The power delivery company can then accurately bill each ofits subscribers for actual electricity used.

The above-described generator 100 may be adapted to power specificdevices. For example, the generator 100 may be integrated into andprovide operational power to tools, such as powered gardening equipment(e.g., lawn mowers, weed whackers, electric tree trimmers, etc.), tools(e.g., air compressors, power washers, saws, drills, etc.), hospitalequipment to provide off-grid power backup, vehicles or other propulsionsystems (e.g., electric motor boats, electric aircraft, electricautomobiles, electric motorbikes, etc.), appliances and HVAC equipment(e.g., refrigeration systems, heating systems, clothes washers, clothesdryers, etc.), commercial construction equipment, and the like. Thegenerator 100 may be used as a replacement for traditional fossil fuelbased electricity generators, such as diesel or gasoline generators.Furthermore, the generator 100 is not limited in its use ofradiofrequency signals from transmission towers. The generator 100 mayalternatively be used in space systems, utilizing radiofrequency energypresent in space communications.

The above-described generator 100 may also be used in combination withother power-transmitting devices. For example, the generator 100 may beused together with a traditional gas engine, electric motor, or a hybridengine. The generator 100 may also be used in combination with otherforms of alternative energy, such as solar power, wind power, orhydropower.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because suchterms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadlyconstrued. The different configurations, systems and method stepsdescribed herein may be used alone or in combination with otherconfigurations, systems and method steps. It is to be expected thatvarious equivalents, alternatives and modifications are possible.

It should be noted that any use of the term “exemplary” herein todescribe various embodiments is intended to indicate that suchembodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrationsof possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote thatsuch embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).

The use of the term “approximately” in relation to numbers, values, andranges thereof refers to plus or minus five percent of the stated ofnumbers, values, and ranges thereof.

The terms “coupled” and the like as used herein mean the joining of twomembers directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may bestationary (e.g., permanent) or moveable (e.g., removable orreleasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or thetwo members and any additional intermediate members being integrallyformed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two membersor the two members and any additional intermediate members beingattached to one another.

References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,”“above,” “below,” etc.) are merely used to describe the orientation ofvarious elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientationof various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments,and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the presentdisclosure.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of thevarious exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only a fewembodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, thoseskilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciatethat many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Forexample, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed ofmultiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed orotherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements orpositions may be altered or varied. The order or sequence of any processor method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternativeembodiments, and elements from different embodiments may be combined ina manner understood to one of ordinary skill in the art. Othersubstitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made inthe design, operating conditions and arrangement of the variousexemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electromagnetic generator comprising: anantenna configured to receive radiofrequency energy; a first circuitconnected to the antenna and configured to charge a first battery usingthe radiofrequency energy received by the antenna; a control unitconfigured to receive power from the first battery and furtherconfigured to power at least one electromagnet to generate a magneticfield; a rotatable body having at least one magnet and configured torotate when the magnetic field is generated; and a second circuitconnected to the rotatable body and configured to supply power to anexternal device based on the rotation of the rotatable body.
 2. Theelectromagnetic generator of claim 1, further comprising a secondbattery, wherein the second circuit is further configured to charge thesecond battery based on the rotation of the rotatable body.
 3. Theelectromagnetic generator of claim 2, wherein the second battery isconfigured to supply power to the external device.
 4. Theelectromagnetic generator of claim 1, wherein the rotatable body is aflywheel.
 5. The electromagnetic generator of claim 1, wherein the firstcircuit is a rectifier.
 6. The electromagnetic generator of claim 1,wherein the second circuit is an alternator.
 7. The electromagneticgenerator of claim 1, wherein the first battery comprises at least twobatteries.
 8. The electromagnetic generator of claim 2, wherein thesecond battery comprises at least two batteries.
 9. The electromagneticgenerator of claim 1, comprising three electromagnets.
 10. Theelectromagnetic generator of claim 9, wherein the three electromagnetsare each configured to have different magnetic field strengths.
 11. Theelectromagnetic generator of claim 1, further comprising a coolingsystem.
 12. The electromagnetic generator of claim 1, further comprisinga control panel configured to indicate to a user charging levels of thefirst battery and the second battery.
 13. A method for supplying powerusing radiofrequency energy, comprising: receiving radio waves throughan antenna; converting energy from the radio waves to a first current;using the first current to charge a first battery; powering at least oneelectromagnet to produce a magnetic field using energy supplied from thefirst battery; rotating a rotatable body due to the magnetic fieldproduced by the at least one electromagnet; converting energy producedby the rotation of the rotatable body to a second current; and using thesecond current to power an external device.
 14. The method of claim 13,further comprising the steps of using the second current to charge asecond battery and powering an external device using energy suppliedfrom the second battery.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein the firstbattery is a plurality of batteries.
 16. The method of claim 13, whereinthe rotatable body is a flywheel.
 17. The method of claim 13, whereinthe first current is a direct current.
 18. The method of claim 13,wherein the second current is an alternating current.
 19. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the second current is a direct current.
 20. Anelectromagnetic generator comprising: an antenna configured to receiveradiofrequency energy; a rectifier circuit connected to the antenna andconfigured convert the radiofrequency energy to direct current energyused to charge a first battery; a control unit configured to receivepower from the first battery and further configured to power at leastone electromagnet to generate a magnetic field; a flywheel having atleast one magnet and configured to rotate when the magnetic field isgenerated; and an alternator mechanically connected to the flywheel andconfigured to charge a second battery based on the rotation of theflywheel; wherein the second battery is configured to supply power to anexternal device.